Off the rim.

Curtain Falls On Guards' Era

Thomas And Johnson Join Jordan On The Sidelines

April 24, 1994|By Sam Smith, Tribune Pro Basketball Writer.

Look for Phoenix's Kevin Johnson to grab the Dream Team II spot now open because of Thomas' injury. "I'm sorry to hear what happened to Isiah," said Johnson, angered when he was passed over for, among others, Miami's Steve Smith. "They'll have to name somebody. We'll jump off that bridge when we come to it, but it would be sweet revenge." . . . He's not as open as Bulls teammate Horace Grant about his intentions, but just as resolute. The word among NBA executives is free agent Scott Williams is targeted to go to Seattle. . . . Boston's Kevin Gamble looks like he'll move closer to his Springfield, Ill., home by signing with Indiana. . . . Pacers coach Larry Brown isn't making any promises, but his wife, Shelly, who is expecting a baby in July, says: "We never make the assumption we'll be there forever, but I have unpacked some boxes that Larry hasn't unpacked in 20 years."

Jeff Malone, traded to the Sixers for Jeff Hornacek reportedly at Karl Malone's urging, is watching the Jazz carefully: "They made the move, and I guess Karl was happy with it. He's supposed to be the team leader. We'll see how far they go in the playoffs. I look forward to them being in the finals now." . . . It's not only the players who do the trash talking. This from referee Joey Crawford to New York's Greg Anthony after Anthony questioned a call recently: "Learn how to shoot!" And last month referee Louis Grillo kicked out the Hawks' Jon Koncak after Koncak cursed Grillo. Houston's Hakeem Olajuwon had just hit a turnaround on Koncak when Grillo yelled to Koncak: "Nice defense."

New York's Pat Riley has nothing on Chuck Daly, but not only in coaching. It seems the New Jersey coach was voted in high school "the boy having the nicest hair." Recalled Daly's high school basketball coach, Stu Edwards: "Before games I'd give the guys a talk. I'd be ready to send them on the floor and Chuck would call out, `Just a minute,' and he'd get his comb, go to the mirror and comb his hair. He always did that."